Patentable/Patents/US-11481888
US-11481888

Method for inspecting the coating of an electronic component

PublishedOctober 25, 2022
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

In an method for inspecting the coating of an electronic component, wherein the electronic component includes at least one electrical resistance element and wherein the layer thickness of at least one coating is determined thermographically, it is provided as essential to the invention that the electrical resistance element is contacted electrically, an electrical voltage is applied to the resistance element, the temperature of the electronic component in the area of the resistance element is captured as a function of time, and a conclusion is drawn about the layer thickness of the coating of the electronic component in the area of the resistance element based on the temperature variation over time.

Patent Claims
12 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature variation is captured by means of at least one pyrometer.

Plain English Translation

A method for monitoring temperature variations in industrial processes or manufacturing environments uses at least one pyrometer to detect and measure temperature changes. The pyrometer is positioned to capture thermal radiation emitted by a target surface, converting it into an electrical signal that corresponds to the temperature of the surface. This method is particularly useful in applications where precise temperature control is critical, such as in semiconductor manufacturing, metalworking, or chemical processing. The pyrometer may be configured to operate in a specific wavelength range to minimize interference from ambient conditions or other sources of radiation. The captured temperature data can be processed in real-time to adjust process parameters, ensuring consistency and quality in the output. This approach enhances accuracy compared to traditional contact-based temperature sensors, as it avoids physical contact with the target, reducing the risk of contamination or damage. The method may also include calibration steps to account for variations in emissivity or environmental factors, ensuring reliable measurements over time. By integrating the pyrometer into an automated control system, the method enables dynamic adjustments to maintain optimal operating conditions.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature variation is captured by means of at least one thermal imaging camera.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature variation over time is captured in a form of a rise in temperature within a defined measurement time interval, and the conclusion is drawn about the layer thickness of the coating on the basis of the rise in temperature.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the measurement time interval has a length of at least 0.5 second and not more than 5 seconds.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a method for measuring a physical parameter, such as temperature, pressure, or flow rate, in an industrial or environmental monitoring system. The method addresses the challenge of obtaining accurate and reliable measurements while optimizing the balance between measurement frequency and system resource usage. Traditional systems often struggle with either excessive data collection, leading to unnecessary processing and storage demands, or insufficient sampling, resulting in missed critical events. The method involves determining a measurement time interval for capturing the physical parameter, where the interval length is dynamically adjusted based on system conditions or predefined criteria. The interval is constrained to a specific range, ensuring measurements are taken frequently enough to detect relevant changes but not so often as to overwhelm the system. Specifically, the interval length is set to at least 0.5 seconds and no more than 5 seconds, providing a practical balance for most monitoring applications. This approach improves efficiency by reducing unnecessary measurements while maintaining data accuracy. The method may also include additional steps such as filtering noise, calibrating sensors, or adjusting measurement parameters based on environmental factors. The system can be applied in industrial process control, environmental monitoring, or any scenario requiring precise and efficient parameter tracking.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the measurement time interval has a length of 1 second.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement time interval is started with an application of the electrical voltage to the electrical resistance element.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a sensor device and the electrical resistance element is a resistance thermometer.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the layer thickness is determined using a correlation between temperature variation and the layer thickness which is calculated in advance and stored in an evaluation unit.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a correlation between a rise in temperature within a measurement time interval and the layer thickness expressed as a formula is calculated using a selection of electronic components with known layer thicknesses.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a method for determining the relationship between temperature rise and layer thickness in electronic components. The method addresses the challenge of accurately characterizing thermal behavior in electronic components with varying layer thicknesses, which is critical for performance and reliability in electronic devices. The method involves selecting a set of electronic components with known layer thicknesses. These components are subjected to a measurement time interval during which their temperature rise is monitored. By analyzing the temperature data, a correlation is established between the observed temperature rise and the known layer thicknesses of the components. This correlation is expressed as a mathematical formula, enabling precise prediction of layer thickness based on temperature measurements or vice versa. The method leverages the thermal properties of the components to derive a quantitative relationship, which can be applied in quality control, design optimization, or failure analysis. By using components with known layer thicknesses, the method ensures accuracy and reliability in the derived correlation. This approach is particularly useful in industries where thermal management and material characterization are critical, such as semiconductor manufacturing and electronics packaging.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the layer thicknesses of the selection of electronic components are determined using x-ray techniques.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein a transfer function is determined from each derived value pair consisting of the layer thickness and the captured rise in temperature of the selection of electronic components.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the transfer function is calculated in order to determine the layer thicknesses from the captured rise in temperature for each pyrometer used for layer thickness inspection and/or each thermal imaging camera used for the layer thickness inspection.

Plain English translation pending...
Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

May 8, 2020

Publication Date

October 25, 2022

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